The Valley City State University women's basketball team struggled to make shots Tuesday night as they lost to Bemidji State University, 73-54 at the W.E. Osmon Fieldhouse.
The big difference in the game was shooting as the Beavers made 51 percent from the field and the Vikings made just 33 percent. Bemidji State University took advantage of a slow start by the Vikings to build a 16-5 early lead and a 39-24 halftime lead that VCSU was unable to recover from.
Allyson Suhr and Courtney Dixon were bright spots for the Viking offense. Suhr was the beneficiary of some nice assists inside as she went 5-for-7 from the field and led the Vikings with 12 points. Dixon came off the bench to score 11 points on 5-for-7 shooting. Lexi Lennon added nine points off the bench and Sierra Even had eight points and nine rebounds.
Bemidji State center Sierra Senske had a big game inside with 25 points, including an 11-for-13 night at the free throw line. Guard Aimee Pelzer scored 28 points on 7-for-11 shooting, including a pair of 3's. Bemidji State, an NCAA Division II school, improves to 5-8 this season.
Valley City State was 18-for-54 from the field, 4-for-17 on 3's and 14-for-22 on free throws. Bemidji State was 26-for-51 from the field, 5-for-18 on 3's, and 16-21 on free throws. Both teams committed just 14 turnovers.
Up next: Valley City State (10-6) travels to Denver for games against Northern New Mexico and Johnson & Wales on Friday and Saturday. VCSU is receiving votes in the latest NAIA Division II Top 25 Poll released on Tuesday.
